The Hara

The city lights were bright and colorful. Moving fast behind the car glass like comets in the sky. Like the purple ball of fire who was always upon them.

"What are you thinking about?" asked her.

"Mmm, sorry. Nothing"

"What are you worrying about?"

"Just…nothing. Do we really know each other?"

"That's a strange question Tithon, what do you mean?"

"Like…what's your name, why were you present during my first promotion and what are we doing?"

"Well. You can call me Lilith…"

"Just Lilith? Don't you have a surname?"

"I don't think that it matters. Anyway, I've used to work as an associate of the Chief of Security when we first met. Therefore, I was there"

"And what about now? I mean, I like you a lot, but I don't know what we're doing"

"We have fun, a thing which seems non-existent in your marriage"

"That's right but is it just that?"

The car halted abruptly in front of the the High Hara's main gate, which was protected by Commander Mabdil and his troops.

"Chill Tithon, tonight we're celebrating" said here while getting off the car.

He didn't say much. He was just too worried about the fact that Kurban and his wife were getting too close, and he wasn't liking it.

"Don't worry. I'll manage it now" said her while kissing him on his cheeks.

They skipped the queue without any kind of issue, there were just a lot of eyes on them.

"Wait, can we, do it?" asked Tithon worried.

She didn't answer. It all came natural and easy to her.

They reached a smaller gate and a guard showed on the other side.

"Good evening, IDs please" asked the guard while showing his hand.

He started looking for his documents. It was the first time outside Haguel for him. He was a bit nervous. His documents were still in his pockets.

"Mr. Ikuinen, everything alright?" asked a strong muscular voice behind him.

He turned his back and saw the Commander.

"What is doing a scumbag like you here? Aren't you supposed to be…"

"He's with me," said Lilith.

The Commander moved his eyes to the ground and tilted his head.

"I'm sorry Miss, it won't happen again. Best regards to your mother" said Mabdil with a submissive tone.

Tithon was astonished.

"Here are your documents Miss, have a nice evening" said the guard.

Tithon was in an aphasic condition, unable to express or understand what was happening.

A couple of minutes passed when he was finally able to talk.

"What happened? Why did Commander Mabdil act like that and why…"

"Oh, shut up and kiss me"

She put her lips on his and they kissed. A passionate kiss. He put his hands around her waist and squeezed her in his arms.

"Let's go now" said her after detaching from him.

They took a taxi, a luxurious one, which brought them in the downtown, under the Aokigahara Tower. When he got off the cab, he saw, for the first time, the High Hara's fulcrum.

There were less people than he expected. It wasn't mildly crowded like Haguel. Men and women were all wearing the same kind of clothes: black suits for the men and black dresses for the women. Most of them looked like twins. They had similar, too similar, faces. There were variations only regarding hair colors and type.

His eyes moved to the skyscrapers, which were rising from the ground like tiny anthills. It was hard to see the moon from there, because the shiny round was hidden behind the metallic giants.

"Which is your favourite skyscraper so far?" asked Lilith while taking his hand.

"The DIYU's is beautiful but the Shangri-La Genomics is the best one. Isn't it called like Aoki..:"

"Aokigahara Tower, exactly"

"It's bigger than Suharto's Peaks and it's more…frightening. What do they do there?"

"I don't know exactly, probably scientific stuff…boring stuff"

"Cool" exclaimed Tithon.

"Before we're going to eat, we just have to be sure that your Ankh is up to date"

"Why? My latest HCC injection was five three years ago" said Tithon altered.

"The Hara has different rules because we don't live like the Guels, we're more…healthy and…cautious"

"If you say so. How many times do we have to get an HCC pop here?"

"Each year. That's the only way to keep our life going"

"Alright"

They went to a certified shop and bought an HCC vial which was immediately injected in Tithon's arm.

Immediately after that she took him by his hand and brought him outside the shop.

"Follow me" said her to him.

He went after her and after twenty minutes ended in front of a tall building. A huge green banner was on the front and recited in big letters Forankret i Løgner.

"What is it?" asked him.

"Probably the best restaurant here"

They got through and after leaving their coats to a waiter who looked like Kurban, they sat at a round table made of two chairs, a candle, and a bottle of spring water.

Another waiter greeted them and left two menus on the table.

Tithon started looking at it when his eyes passed over the prices.

"Everything is so expensive here" said him, while trying to speak as softly as possible.

A lot of eyes moved toward him, and some heads shook in disbelief.

Silence.

He felt out of place.

"Don't worry about them. In time they won't care about you"

The other customers where still looking at them. Too many twins among them, too many faces which looked like the Guels he used to work with.

A bell ringed and they all turned their heads toward their dishes.

The clattering came back gradually.

"Have you decided what you want to eat? Impress me" asked Lilith.

"I…I really don't know..I" hesitated Tithon.

"Alright. Waiter" called her.

"Yes Miss, how can I help you?" said him after he came to them swiftly.

"The usual treat, the one I have when I come here with my mother"

"Perfect choice Miss. I'll tell it to the Chef. Have a nice evening" said the waiter while taking the menus from the table and moving away from them.

"Who is your mother exactly?" asked Tithon.

"Just a wealthy Halars. You don't have to worry about her. And this evening isn't about her, it's about us" told her to him while putting her hand on his.

He didn't insist, he didn't even try. He understood that it wasn't the right time.

After twenty-five minutes reappeared the waiter with the appetizers.

"Almas Caviar in a bed of Bread and Moose Cheese cream"

The portion was minuscule, and the plate was too big compared to it.

He tried it.

It was delicious.

He used to think that the Exin was the best place to it but now, now everything was different.

The food felt healthier and of higher, so much higher quality.

"How is it?" asked Lilith.

"It makes you feel alive. It makes me think that for all these years I've just eaten rubbish compared to this"

She smiled, pleased by his remarks.

He finished it quickly.

Then came the next courses.

"Fresh Oysters from Lady Gehenna personal reserve"

"Fugu's carpaccio accompanied by steamed Matsutake Mushrooms and White Truffles Crème"

"Bluefin Tuna's sake on a bed of Red Saffron's rice"

"What has been the best recipe so far Ti?"

"Probably…the carpaccio with those strange mushrooms. What about you?"

"Caviar and Cheese. It has always been my favourite" said her delighted.

Shortly after came to their table the waiter with the dessert.

"Yubari King Melons covered by a veil of Manuka Honey and sprinkles of Vanilla"

"Would you like to have a small cup of Black Ivory Coffee and a glass of Fillico Jewelry Water with it too?" asked the waiter afterwards.

"Sure" exclaimed Tithon.

Lilith smiled. She was happy that he was feeling good.

When they finished their dinner, she paid for them both and left the place.

"Thanks Lilith, you're sweet" said him while giving her a soft kiss on her lips.

"Would you like to see the Aokigahara's top?" asked her.

"Yes, for…"

"I'm sorry Miss but your sister has requested your presence," said a waiter with violet short curly hair while looking at him.

He felt like his face wasn't new to him.

"Tell her that we'll be there in five"

"Sure. Have a nice night Miss and Mr. Ikuinen" said the waiter while leaving them.

"Did you know him?" asked her perplexed.

"No. I remember you that it's my first time here"

"That's weird. So far he's been the only person, beside the Commander, who used your surname"

They stayed out there for a while, talking, and teasing each other, when their ride stopped in front of them.

It took them through the Hara for thirty-five minutes when they reached their destination, a small building in the city's north side.

"Do I have to come with you?" asked him while her was taking off.

"Sure, half an hour and we will get to our final destination"

He didn't say much after that. He just followed her up the stairs to a metallic door where he introduced herself and him.

Inside it was like a flat which was being repurposed as a medical lab. In there were five doctors who were moving around and back and forth from a black room.

As they moved closer to it, they started feeling cold.

"Put that on. She needs to stay cool in the evening and hot in the morning. Her body works differently" said her while handing him another coat.

They went in and Tithon started feeling uneasy. The room was like a prison, a golden cage. One window and a wall of glass. Curtains were standing between his eyes and Lilith's sister.

"How is she?" asked her to the doctor which was standing there.

"Stable. Her speaking skills are getting better but can't sustain herself without flesh and blood. She needs more but it isn't enough. Fortunately, we've slowed down her mutation to the point that she is in a better condition than…"

"Thanks doctor, you're doing a great job. I need to have ten minutes with her"

"Sure, what about him? Can we trust you?" asked the doctor, suspicious of Tithon's intentions.

"Yes, he's with me. He's my fiancée," said her.

Tithon didn't see it coming and remained speechless.

She then slowly moved closer to the glass wall.

"Ri…Ri, are you there? I'm Lily. I've been told that you wanted to talk with me"

No one answered.

Tithon noticed that the curtains started moving a little.

"Ri?" asked Lilith again.

"Finnalley…Yout maden it. Whose withs yout?" answered a hoarse and abrasive voice.

"Tithon. He's the one I've told you about"

"Thew Haguelk scumi. Isd thatr himd?" asked the voice behind the curtain with what looked like happiness.

"Yes, it's him"

"Dod yout trusty himd?"

"Sure" said her while taking Tithon's left hand in hers.

"Pushs himd forwardz then"

Lilith tilted her head and Tithon stepped forth. He was a bit tense. There was something about Lilith's sister which felt off.

Silence.

For a while.

The curtain opened and the lights dimmed a little by spreading a red veil in the room.

And then there was her, in the shadows.

Tithon strained his eyes a little to get a glimpse of her.

"Come forward Resheph. Don't be scared" told her Lilith with an encouraging tone.

Long greenish limbs started emerging from darkness.

Huge nails, crippled arms on the floor. She was like a quadruped. Phlegmatic as an abused dog.

The face showed itself and it was hideous. Sharp teeth like a predator, small icy eyes, and black sporadic hair. Her back was bent in an unnatural position, worse than a hunchback.

She looked like the sculpture Lilith gave him weeks ago.

"Is…is she a sha…" was saying Tithon when Lilith interrupted him.

"She is my twin sister Ti"

Resheph was looking at them like they were food. The mouth was open, and she was panting.

She crawled toward him when his phone flickered.

Lilith and Resheph looked at him.

He felt embarrassed and took a swift peek at the message he received.

"Go" said Lilith.

He abandoned them and while he was going out, she ran to him and put her lips on his.

He smiled.

And closed the door behind him.

The clock was ticking. On his desk.

Tick, tock.

Malsumis was waiting.

And waiting. For his guest to come.

Tick, tock.

His fingers were ticking nervously on the ebony surface. An Egyptian relic on the table which looked like a cross.

Tick, tock.

Steely pens and graphite's pencils put in an alternating order. Sharp tips like cutting fangs.

Tick, tock.

It was becoming too late.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

He was losing his patience.

Slowly.

Tick, tock.

He woke up.

Tick, tock.

His hands were itching.

Tick, tock.

A distant sound of steps.

Tick, tock.

He sat down. Composed himself. His faced morphed into a menacing and threatening one.

Tick, tock.

Someone knocked at the door.

"Come in" ordered him to his guest.

Tick, tock.

The door opened and Tithon came in. He was in good shape, and he looked like he came from a wonderful.

"I hope that I didn't interrupt anything relevant," told him.

Tithon shaked his head.

Tick, tock.

He was looking around, with a strange curiosity in his eyes.

"If you're going to ask about the masks, I'm quickly going to tell you that they're not mine. This isn't my office. This is my brother's. He has a thing for the old masks sold by the Antiqua Larva in the outer ring of the Hara. Like this one."

Malsumis pointed his finger toward one which looked familiar to Tithon.

Tick, tock.

"Anyway, do you know why you are here today?" asked Malsumis next.

"No…not really" answered Tithon.

Tick, tock.

"I want to show you something" said Malsumis as he picked up a pad from one of his desk's drawers.

He handed it to him.

"What is it?"

"Just look at it. Press play" ordered him.

The video started and Tithon's eyes started exuding concern.

When the video ended, he gave the pad back to Malsumis.

Tick, tock.

"Do you have any words?" asked him.

Tithon didn't answer.

"Do you know for how long we've been covering your shit up? As I remember, since your little discover in the dump. Do you remember?"

"Yes"

Tick, tock.

"Where did we bring you? Do you like where're you now?"

"Yes…yes"

"Him has been a liability for so long and I don't know why my brother still wants to keep him around but I'm losing my patience"

The threats were carefully hidden in his words.

Tick, tock.

"I know that you're willing to move to the Hara, aren't you?"

"Yes…yes, sir"

Tick, tock.

"We can manage it, but we'll need your help. You know what's coming"

Tithon didn't know what to say. He was having a rollercoaster day and he was going to lose it. He needed to talk to Kurban.

Tick, tock.

"You can go. And remember. Your choices have brought you here. Be careful about them"

Tithon stood up and left.

Tick, tock.

Tick tock.

Tick, tock.

After five minutes a call came in.

"How did it go?" asked Gluskap on the speakerphone.

"This time we'll do as I want. I don't know why you wanted to keep him around, but this time is critical. As a co-chief of security, I need your agreement"

Tick, tock.

"Are you sure about that? He could still be use…"

"Gluskap, please. I don't care. You're sincerely too kind for this job. I'm fed up with your sugarcoating and morals"

His brother went shut.

Tick, tock.

"We're going to need the commander. Tell him that we're going to Kirkegardssand"

"But…"

"No. This is your fucking mess brother. For ages you've defending this filthy Guels under my nose. Have a good evening" and aborted the call.

He sat on his chair.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

He woke up.

Tick, tock.

Tick tock.

Took the clock.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

And threw it to the wall.

Tick.

It shattered in a myriad of pieces.

Tock.

Tithon was tense. Not just tense.

Worried. He knew about his friend's affair, but he didn't want to hurt Endymion because she would've cracked under pressure. Cause of it he was also late, too late.

Gluskap was right. Something was moving behind the curtains, and he wasn't able to see through it. Usually, Tithon was the one who would've helped him understand what was happening, but he was moving far from him.

He didn't get why the co-chief of security was trying to protect him, but he wasn't able to trust him. The body and the bombing, two odd events which weren't even considered by the DIYU and its managers. Everyone seemed to have forgotten them.

He was standing now on the bridge besides Alusta's sewer but no one, no one was there to remember. It was hard, probably because everything has been restored to perfection and it was hard to notice the fact that a bomb exploded there a long time ago.

The brights of a car enlightened his back and he turned toward them. They were approaching him.

He felt unsure. Were they whiskers?

The car stopped and a figure came out of it. It was wearing a black coat. He was moving towards him. There was something familiar about his walking style and pace.

The stranger stepped into the streetlamps light, and he recognized him.

"Am I late?" asked his encounter.

"Ti, are you serious? I've been waiting here for so long"

"Don't worry. It has just been two hours"

"And it isn't the first time. What were you doing?" asked Kurban altered.

"I was doing…work stuff"

"Seriously" smiled Kurban, trying to keep calm.

"Am I free to do what I want?"

"Yes, but you should be grateful that I've been looking after your wife while you've been banging Lilith"

"What have you done with my wife? And don't say anything about Lily. We're in love" told him Tithon with a threatening voice.

"We're just friends. Hold your horses and use your mind. That Halars girl is poisoning your mind. Do you even care about Endy?"

"Yes, I do"

"Really?"

"I said yes and it's yes. Stop playing with me"

"Anyway, what do you want to tell me?" asked Kurban.

"I'm going to say that just because I still care about you and your well-being"

"I'm not sure about that but shoot. What's going on?"

"Weeks ago, I was summoned by Malsumis"

"Ok, I know who he is. Go on then"

"He saw you doing something which goes against his…our interests"

"Our?"

"Yes, me and Malsumis"

The words struck Kurban. Each felt like a heavy stone on his head.

"I thought that we were helping each other"

"We're Kurban but I feel like something is going to happen which could destroy both our lives"

"Why would you care?"

"Well, because we're friends"

Kurban looked his friend in the eyes. He wasn't sure that he was saying the truth.

"Whatever will happen, please, keep your promise"

"What promise?"

"To always have my back. I still think that you can take good choices. Just don't take the easiest one"

Tithon didn't answer immediately.

"Do you understand?" asked Kurban.

"Yes…yes, I understand. I remember. I won't forget about you"

Even though he was already doing it.

"By the way, I must go because Endymion is probably waiting for me at home, and I don't wan to freak her out. Have a nice night my friend"

Kurban still couldn't believe his words.

Tithon got in the car and waved back at him.

After instructing the driver to bring him home, he sent a message to Lilith.

Thank you for being there for me. I love you.

After some time, he reached his destination and left the car. His house looked bad, especially after seeing the luxurious penthouses of the Hara. He couldn't bear it anymore. He just wanted to move away and stay with Lilith in her house. Endymion would've understood his choice, he thought. The fact that all of it was at risk for his friend was bugging him. He had a hard dilemma in his hands.

He arrived at the door and showed the card to the newly installed security system. The door opened with a click, and he went inside his flat.

All was dark. Only the moon light was giving him a bit of comfort.

He was moving with his hands in front of him to avoid touching anything. He entered his room and started to undress slowly with caution. He didn't want to wake his wife up.

He was pulling off his trousers when the lights rekindled.

The white bead was empty.

He closed his eyes for a moment. He knew what was going to happen that night.

"Where have you been?" asked Endymion angry.

He turned toward her and looked in her eyes of different colors which were wet, as her cheeks. She was crying. A bottle of alcohol in her right hand and a sharp knife in the other.